Community input sought on Parks and The Centre

Community input and feedback continues to be sought through a series of public forums intended to allow citizens an opportunity to give input on recreation programming; input on future City of Rolla park needs; capital improvement projects (long-term and short-term) and ways to fund these projects.

The third and final public forum hosted by the City of Rolla, Parks and Recreation Department and The Centre will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 26 from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Catholic Newman Center located at 1607 North Rolla Street (across from the Missouri S&T Electrical Engineering Building).
  If you are unable to attend the forum on Oct. 26 but would like to provide input and feedback, please feel free to pick up a comment card either at The Centre or Parks and Recreation Department, located at 1200 N. Holloway Street, or by downloading the card on the City’s Website at http://www.rollacity.org/events.shtm#forums. Additional information regarding the public forums, and park sales tax history can also be viewed on the City’s Website at the above link. For additional information regarding the forums, please contact the Rolla Parks and Recreation Department at 341-2386.

The City is also moving forward with the formation of Rolla’s Sesquicentennial Celebration Planning Committee, which will hold its first meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 2 at 4 p.m. at Rolla City Hall, 3rd Floor Conference Room. The purpose of the planning committee, which was recently approved by the Rolla City Council, is to discuss and plan the various activities and events that will be held in conjunction with the City’s Sesquicentennial Celebration on Saturday, June 4, 2011. The City’s 150th birthday (date of incorporation as a municipality) is officially Jan. 25, 2011, but City staff thought it would be more advantageous to celebrate the City’s sesquicentennial during the weekend of Rolla’s Route 66 Summerfest held the first weekend of June in downtown Rolla.

History continues to play a vital role in Rolla’s heritage as is reflected in the Historic Walking Tour of Rolla (37 historic signs in the downtown area), the restored Frisco Caboose located across from City Hall on 9th Street, the massive 1501 Frisco Engine located in Schuman Park, the old Phelps County Courthouse (one of only two courthouses in the state that are pre-Civil War era), the Dillon Log Cabin that serves as a museum run by the Phelps County Historical Society, the old Phelps County jail, old wooden Main Street bridge, Hotel Edwin Long (now Phelps County Bank), and many other artifacts and buildings maintained and preserved by the Phelps County Historical Society. I will continue to keep the community updated on the ideas and plans generated by Rolla’s Sesquicentennial Celebration Planning Committee, and I look forward to sharing more about this event with you in the future.

In closing, I encourage you to take advantage of the City’s 12-mile-long pedestrian bike path system, including the newly constructed Deible Loop Pedestrian Bike Path. The fall colors are getting more vibrant every day, and spending time outdoors among the City’s parks and trails is a great way to enjoy the Missouri Ozarks. Have a great week.

Police Chief Chat

This week, the Rolla Police Department handled 714 calls for service. Of these calls there were: 22 arrests, 35 accidents, 48 traffic complaints, 102 traffic stops, 29 follow up investigations, 12 suspicious nature calls, 11 loud noise complaints, 28 assists of other agencies, 6 fingerprint requests, 49 - 911 hang up calls, 3 trespassing complaints, 6 escorts, 5 narcotics complaints, 14 stealing complaints and 9 public relations contacts. This call total is down 56 calls from last week. Yet, another busy week!

Well, the Fall season has arrived! Each October the Rolla Police Department begins preparation for October 31st with our “Project Halloween”. This operation is very simple and designed to keep our children safe during this period of activity. The operation includes beefed up patrols by both our Patrol Division and our Volunteers in Police Services members. This year Halloween falls on Sunday evening, which is when the traditional Halloween festivities will be observed in our neighborhoods. The Downtown Business Association decided to host their annual “Have a Safe Trick or Treat Night” event on Saturday, October 30, 2010, from 4 – 7 p.m. Local business and other organizations will be handing out candy and other treats to trick or treaters on Pine Street between 6th St. and 12th St.

The idea of essentially 2 nights of Halloween prompts us to remind you that we will now have 2 nights of children and adults downtown and in our neighborhoods participating in the Halloween celebration. Please remember to use extreme caution when driving through these areas. We will have our officers out in force watching for unsafe actions, lost or missing children and traffic violations that create undo hazards for the participants. We would like to also offer a few safety tips to insure that you and your family have a safe and fun-filled Halloween:

1. Help your child pick out a costume that is fire-proof, reflective or light colored, with large eye openings and one that does not restrict movement.
2. If you display a candle-lit jack – o’- lantern be sure the placement is not too close to your home and away from the area trick or treaters will frequent.
3. Encourage children to travel in groups with at least one adult, and only frequent neighborhoods with which they are familiar.
4. Serve a hearty dinner prior to going out so the children will be less tempted to sample candy and treats that have not been checked by parents. Remember, “when in doubt throw it out!”
5. Teaching your children basic safety techniques such as, not getting into cars or talking to strangers, looking both ways before crossing streets and obeying cross walk margins, will make their Halloween experience safer.

By policy, the Rolla Police Department requires all commissioned police officers to qualify with handguns, rifles and shotguns twice a year in an effort to ensure officers maintain proficiency in the handling and use of these weapons. Typically the qualification sessions are scheduled in the Spring and Fall of the year and are preceded by training offered by our in house certified firearms instructors. Officers certified in firearm instruction include Senior Firearm Instructor Lt. Jim Macormic, Sgt. Kenny Moberly, Sgt. Jeremy Martens, Sgt. John Frey, Spo. Luke Kearse, Spo. Jason Copeland and Spo. Josh Campbell. Training typically includes reinforcing the basic essentials needed to properly and accurately shoot a firearm. They are position, grip, breath control, sight alignment, trigger squeeze and follow through.

This week, due to scheduling conflicts of the other firearms instructors, Lt. Jim Macormic was forced to conduct firearms training and qualifications single handedly. Jim began the training by briefly touching on the basics of firearm proficiency with an hour long block of instruction. Immediately following the session, officers reported to the qualification range where they were expected to qualify with their department issued handguns, patrol rifles and shotguns. Afterward, officers were then subjected to practical shooting scenarios that included moving target acquisition, low light / night firing and weapon reloading. Lt. Macormic was assisted by Volunteers in Police Services members Vince Giacolone, David Reynolds and Larry Seest who maintained range safety.

In closing, the Rolla Police Department Golden Shield Award’s Banquet will be held this weekend where officers, civilian personnel and communications personnel are recognized for service above and beyond the day to day requirements of their daily duties. Among the awards that could be presented are the Medal of Honor, Legion of Honor, Combat Cross, Wounded in Combat, Gallantry Star, Grand Cordon, Meritorious Service, Chief’s Achievement, Life-Saving, Samaritan, Judge JoAnn Mayberry Award and the Mayor’s Award. This is an annual event accompanied by a banquet which has been sponsored by the Behind the Badge organization.

Have a great week!

Chief Mark Kearse

Celebration of Nations embraced by local community

Rolla has a long tradition as a community that comes together for big events, big priorities, big causes, community projects and yes, even big celebrations. The Brey Sportsplex, Ber Juan Sportsplex, The Centre, Lions Club Park, ACORN Trail, St. Pat’s Parade, Rolla Christmas Parade, Fall Arts and Crafts Festival, Route 66 Summerfest, and most recently Veterans Memorial Park, are just a few examples of this community-wide support we see throughout the Rolla area.

Over two weeks ago the community and City, together with the leadership of the Rolla Area Ministerial Alliance and Rolla Police Department, and numerous businesses and agencies, held the 3rd Annual Operation Neighborhood Clean-up. Last Saturday the 32nd Annual Fall Arts and Crafts Festival was hosted by the Rolla Downtown Business Association, downtown merchants, numerous craft and food vendors, and non-profit organizations during the Missouri S&T homecoming weekend.

With the same community spirit and sense of collaboration we so often see in the Rolla community, the first annual Celebration of Nations was held last Saturday, Oct. 9 in downtown Rolla to celebrate our rich international community. If you didn’t have a chance to see either the Parade of Nations (over 81 countries represented), the International Festival or International Idol competition that was part of the Celebration of Nations, you missed a very delightful and festive celebration of international proportions. But what is even more impressive than the large turnout for this inaugural event, is the amount of collaborative energy and enthusiasm that went into it, and the amount of cooperation and teamwork demonstrated among Missouri S&T, the City of Rolla, and all of the businesses, organizations and individuals who worked together to host this unique and successful event.

Dr. Kent Ray, Provost of Missouri S&T, and the catalyst for the vision of the Celebration of Nations, said in his welcoming remarks at the downtown bandsehll during the Celebration of Nations, that he hopes the event will become an annual occurrence in the Rolla community, and I would like to echo his remarks. When you see all of the problems and turmoil being experienced in other countries throughout the world because of cultural differences, it is inspiring to see an event like the Celebration of Nations bring so much harmony, peace, and enjoyment to the Ozark foothills where we as a community embrace and support our cultural diversity. Of course I have not even mentioned yet the educational and social benefits of this event that allows children and adults of all ages to learn more about other countries, their culture and their way of life.

In closing, I’d like to remind everyone to please try to attend one of the upcoming public forums that are being hosted by the City of Rolla, the Parks & Recreation Department and The Centre to allow citizens an opportunity to give input on recreation programming; input on future park needs; capital improvement projects (long-term and short-term) and ways to fund these projects. The first public forum was held on Oct. 13 at the Rolla Elks Lodge. The second of the three public forums will be held this Wednesday, Oct. 20 from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at The Centre (1200 North Holloway Street) and the third forum will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 26 from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Catholic Newman Center located at 1607 North Rolla Street. For additional information regarding the forums, please contact the Rolla Parks and Recreation Department at 341-2386.

I hope you are enjoying the beautiful fall weather and colorful panoramic views that make this time of the year particularly enjoyable in the Missouri Ozarks. Have a great week.

Police Chief Chat

The Rolla Police Department handled 770 calls for service. Of these calls there were: 28 arrests, 43 accidents, 44 traffic complaints, 96 traffic stops, 44 follow up investigations, 14 suspicious nature calls, 17 loud noise complaints, 18 assists of other agencies, 8 fingerprint requests, 35 security checks, 5 juvenile complaints, 5 trespassing calls, 11 escorts, 5 domestic disturbances, 3 abandoned vehicles and 12 stealing reports. This call total is up 2 calls from last week. Yet, another busy week!

On Friday, October 8, 2010 at approximately 2:38 p.m., the Rolla Police Department received a 911 call indicating that there had just been a robbery at the Town and Country Bank located at 910 South Highway 63 in Rolla. Officers responded to the scene and learned that a white male had robbed two bank employees while they were filling the ATM machine located outside of the bank near the drive thru area. The suspect knocked one employee down and stole two plastic containers which contained United States currency. The robber left the bank on foot with an unreleased amount of cash. One employee sustained minor injuries during the robbery, the other employee was not injured. The robbery suspect was described as a white male, approximately 30 years of age, weighing 200-225 pounds, approximately 5'10" - 6'01" tall. The suspect was wearing a blue checkered button up short sleeve shirt, camouflage ball cap, blue jeans, black footwear and had placed a blue bandana over his mouth. He was also wearing sunglasses. The suspect fled from the scene on foot carrying two gray NCR brand, ATM containers which were approximately 15 inches long and 8 inches wide. The bank robbery is currently under investigation by members of the Rolla Police Department's Division of Criminal Investigations and the Federal Bureau of Investigations.

Since the robbery investigation began, our Criminal Investigations Unit and agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation have developed several leads in this case. I have pulled out all the stops and will use all available resources to follow up on these leads and do our best to complete this investigation and bring this criminal to justice. All available officers from staff and our patrol division are assisting the CIU and FBI investigators and will do so until this investigation is complete. Anyone having any information pertaining to this bank robbery is encouraged to call the Rolla Police Department at (573) 308-1213.

Over the past few months the Rolla Police Department has been promoting our upcoming 10th Annual Law Enforcement Torch Run “Trivia Night” scheduled for this Saturday, October 16, 2010. Regretfully, we have had to cancel this event due to scheduling conflicts. We are looking at a possible re-schedule date sometime after the 1st of the year. Even though we had to cancel this year’s event we would still like to thank our sponsors and continued supporters for their unending devotion to helping us, help our Special Olympic athletes. The event is somewhat unique in that it is not only a great fundraiser but also a night of fun and adventure. Each year businesses, organizations and individuals come forward and offer goods or services to make this event a success. Some of them are named here and without them, we would not have been able to provide the support for nearly a decade to Special Olympics. We would like to thank: Lee’s Chicken, Domino’s Pizza, Papa John’s Pizza, Tommy’s Tater Patch, Pizza Inn, Pizza Hut, Little Caesar’s Pizza, Imo’s Pizza, Casey’s General Stores, Wal-Mart Supercenter, Pryor’s Pizza, Rolla Elk’s Lodge, Result’s Radio, Fairground Chevrolet, Sheriff Rick Lisenbe and the Phelps County Sheriff’s Department, Cpt. LeeAnn Kenley and MSHP at Troop I, our scheduled guest emcee John D. Wiggins, The law firm of Beger and Bushie LLC, the law firm of Williams, Robinson, Rigler and Buschjost, Key Sport, Phelps County Bank, Bank of America, Fidelity Communications, McDonald’s, Big Lots, Game Stop, Slice of Pie, Applebee’s, Goody’s, Family Video, Blossom Basket, Verizon Wireless, Family Center, Creech Furniture Galleries, Trips & More and Coachlite Lanes. Thanks for a great 10 years!

We have some new faces here at the Police Department and I would like to introduce you to 4 new members of the Rolla Police family. Joining our ranks in the patrol division is Pto. John Stack. John resides in Sullivan Missouri and has most recently been employed with the Bourbon Police Department where he has served since May of this year. John will begin serving with the Rolla Police Department on Monday, October 18th which will include a 12 week field training program where he will be shadowed by one of our Field Training Officers who will guide him through the steps to becoming a Rolla Police Officer. Please be sure to say hello to John and welcome him to our community. Our next new member is none other than Ward Merrell. Ward has recently joined our Volunteers in Police Services ranks and will serve by patrolling schools, neighborhoods and our business districts. Many people around Rolla know Ward from having been President of the Rolla Chamber of Commerce and being a Rolla Ambassador. He has also been a successful businessman specializing in financial planning and insurance. Our next new face is that of Jeanne Jenks of Rolla, who is also a new member of our VIPS program. Jeanne comes to us from the medical profession and will be assisting our Records Division. Finally our last new face is that of Joyce Heidecke of Rolla, who is a registered nurse that has recently joined the ranks of the Volunteers in Police Services. Joyce will be assisting with the school, business and neighborhood patrols. I would like to welcome all of our newest members to the Rolla Police Department family and encourage all of you to welcome them in the community.

Have a great week!

Chief Mark Kearse

Energy conservation initiatives underway at Rolla City Hall

The City of Rolla is implementing the first phase of a comprehensive energy program to increase energy conservation measures at several City facilities and operations. Technicians with Retro Tech Systems began installing new energy efficient ballasts and fluorescent lights on the third floor of Rolla City Hall (Administration Department) on Monday, Sept. 20.

The new energy efficient lighting is part of an extensive energy conservation contract the City entered into with Siemens Technology. Retro Tech Systems will be working through the end of October at the following locations: Rolla City Hall, 901 N. Elm Street (Sept. 20 – Sept. 27); Rolla Fire & Rescue Headquarters, 1490 East 10th Street (Sept. 27 – Sept. 29); Rolla Fire & Rescue, Fire Station #2, 400 West 4th Street (Sept. 29 – Oct. 4); Rolla Police Headquarters, 1007 N. Elm Street (Oct. 4 – Oct. 6); The Centre, 1200 N. Holloway Street (Oct. 7 – Oct. 25); and Southeast Treatment Plant, Hwy. 72 (Oct. 25 – Oct. 28). Disruptions should be minor.

A new roof will also be constructed at the Rolla Police Department. If you have any questions regarding these energy improvements, please contact Steve Hargis, Director of Public Works, at 364-8659.

City of Rolla Fire & Rescue reinforce newer smoke alarm recommendations

City of Rolla Fire & Rescue reinforces newer smoke alarm recommendations

In an effort to better educate communities throughout the U.S. about smoke alarm recommendations, the nonprofit National Fire Protection Association (NFPA ) is promoting “Smoke Alarms: A Sound You Can Live With!” as the theme for this year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign, Oct. 3-9, which the City of Rolla is supporting locally. NFPA has been the official sponsor of Fire Prevention Week for 88 years.

“Many homes in Rolla may not have any smoke alarms, not enough smoke alarms, alarms that are too old, or alarms that are not working,” says Robert Williams, Fire Chief of the City of Rolla Fire & Rescue. “We want residents to understand that working smoke alarms are needed in every home, on every level (including the basement), outside each sleeping area and inside each bedroom. And, if a smoke alarm is 10 years old or older, it needs to be replaced.”

According to Chief Williams, smoke alarms can mean the difference between life and death in a fire. NFPA statistics show that working smoke alarms cut the chance of dying in a fire nearly in half. But they must be working properly to do so. The association’s data shows that many homes have smoke alarms that aren’t working or maintained properly, usually because of missing, disconnected or dead batteries. Roughly two-thirds of all home fire deaths result from fires in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms.
Through educational, family-oriented activities, residents can learn more about the power of smoke alarms, newer options for installing and maintaining them properly, and ultimately, how to better protect their loved ones from fire by attending the City of Rolla Fire & Rescue Open House on Saturday, Oct. 9 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

NFPA and the City of Rolla Fire & Rescue agree that interconnected smoke alarms offer the best protection; when one sounds, they all do. This is particularly important in larger or multi-story homes, where the sound from distant smoke alarms may be reduced to the point that it may not be loud enough to provide proper warning, especially for sleeping individuals.

“Most people have a sense of complacency about smoke alarms because they already have one in their homes. Fire Prevention Week provides an excellent opportunity to re-educate people about smoke alarms, new technologies and expanded options for installation and maintenance,” says Judy Comoletti, division manager for NFPA public education. “Ultimately, we want this year’s campaign to serve as a call to action for households nationwide to inspect their homes to ensure that their families have the full smoke alarm protection that’s recommended.”

The City of Rolla Fire & Rescue offers the following tips for making sure smoke alarms are maintained and working properly:

Test smoke alarms at least once a month using the test button, and make sure everyone in your home knows their sound.

If an alarm “chirps,” warning the battery is low, replace the battery right away.

Replace all smoke alarms, including alarms that use 10-year batteries and hard-wired alarms, when they’re 10 years old (or sooner) if they do not respond properly when tested.

Never remove or disable a smoke alarm.

To learn more about “Smoke Alarms: A Sound You Can Live With!” visit NFPA’s Web site at www.firepreventionweek.org.

John Butz receives MML Distinguished Service Award

Rolla City Administrator John Butz, who has been an active member of the Missouri Municipal League (MML) for 22 years, was recently selected to receive the 2010 MML Distinguished Service Award.

Previous winners of the MML Distinguished Service Award are: Mollie Rickey, Howard Tooke, Joanne Collins, Dee Hudson, John O’Renick, Norma Caldwell, Willis Conner, Pat Killoren, Carolyn Gerdes, James Eagan, Kennard Whitfield, Marge Schramm, Gerald Gilkey, Joe Adams, Kevin O’Keefe, Marie Wessley, Howard Wright, Ray Beck, Glenn Van Leer, Karen Messerli and Gary Markenson.

Butz recently completed a two-year term serving on the MML Board of Directors where he assisted board members with the League’s legislative positions, strategic planning, business matters, and lobbying efforts at the state level.

“I’m thrilled that John was recognized by MML for this distinguished award, said Rolla Mayor Bill Jenks, III.” “John’s contributions to MML is reflected in this unique recognition, and I think reflects well on the City of Rolla not only at a local and regional level, but a state level as well. The City is very fortunate to have John’s knowledge, experience and awareness of state-wide issues that impact our community.”

The MML was formally established in 1934 in order to perpetuate and develop an agency for the cooperation of Missouri cities, towns and villages and to promote the interest, welfare and closer relations among them in order to improve municipal government and administration in the state. The basic goal of the League is to strengthen cities through unity and cooperation. League membership has increased from 200 municipalities in 1965 to 641 in 2006.

The MML also represents municipalities before the Missouri General Assembly; establishes legislative positions by municipal officials during the MML Annual Conference; and presents the local government point of view to state and federal legislators.

Police Chief Chat

This past week the Rolla Police Department handled 768 calls for service. Of these calls there were: 34 arrests, 20 accidents, 66 traffic complaints, 87 traffic stops, 8 suspicious nature calls, 7 recovered property reports, 12 loud noise complaints, 26 assists of other agencies, 9 fingerprint requests, 4 mental health calls, 4 prowler calls, 36 animal calls, 11 alarms and 3 trespassing calls. This call total is up 36 calls from last week. Another busy week!

On October 2, 2010 at approximately 10:20 PM, the Rolla Police Department received a 911 call regarding an armed robbery that had just occurred at the Country Mart grocery store located in the 1000 block of Forum Drive in Rolla, Missouri. A single suspect, dressed in a dark-colored hooded sweatshirt, dark-colored jacket, and blue jeans, entered the business armed with an edged-weapon. The suspect threatened several employees and demanded money. The suspect was able to obtain cash from the business and then fled on foot running north through the parking lot towards Forum Drive. A search of the area by law enforcement officers was conducted but the suspect was not located, however evidence from the crime scene, along with the weapon used and the clothing of the suspect, was found nearby the scene of the robbery. The amount of money stolen and further details are not being disclosed at this time. None of the victims involved sustained any injuries.

On October 4, 2010 the Rolla Police Department's Division of Criminal Investigations Unit received a tip on the identity of a possible suspect in this crime. After receiving the tip, Detectives and Uniformed Officers began following up on the tip. The suspect was later located and questioned regarding this robbery. A search warrant was later obtained for the suspect's residence located in the 1900 block of Farrar Drive. Seized during the execution of the search warrant was marijuana, drug paraphernalia and a substantial amount of money believed to have been stolen during the robbery. Arrested was Marquis D. Robinson age 34 of Rolla, Missouri. Robinson was arrested for 1st Degree Robbery, Armed Criminal Action, Felonious Restraint, Possession of Marijuana & Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Robinson was later incarcerated in the Phelps County Jail, pending warrant application. "The apprehension of this suspect is yet another example of the teamwork in our community. Had it not been for that one tip, we may have never identified the suspect or solved this crime. I am extremely proud of the efforts of the officers who investigated this serious crime." In appreciation for his service to the Rolla Police Department and the Rolla community, I presented the citizen (who wishes to remain anonymous) who contacted us with the confidential tip, the Rolla Police Department Certificate of Appreciation for his contribution.

On October 05, 2010 at approximately 11:45 a.m., The Rolla Police Department was notified of two suspicious acting individuals who were attempting to pawn several weapons at a local pawn shop. Upon arrival of the initial responding units, officers encountered two white male individuals outside the establishment near a vehicle with out of state registration. Upon investigation by the responding officers it was determined that the vehicle had been reported as stolen in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania on October 03, 2010. Officers quickly detained the two individuals. As a result of the ensuing investigation, officers discovered 6 firearms and camping gear which had been reported as stolen during the burglary of an Outdoor Store in Watertown, New York on October 01, 2010. Further investigation revealed that the two had robbed a hunter at gunpoint in Pennsylvania and had stolen his vehicle and crossbow after assaulting him. Arrested was Philip E. Hemminger, age 18 of Black River, New York, and Andrew M. O’Connor, age 19 of Carthae, New York. Hemminger & O'Connor were arrested and charged with Receiving Stolen Property. Both were incarcerated in the Phelps County Jail in lieu of a $400,000.00 bond, and pending extradition back to Pennsylvania and New York where they will face additional charges in those jurisdictions."The arrests of these two armed criminals were a direct result of our citizens cooperating and notifying law enforcement of suspicious activity, for that I would like to thank them for their initiative." In appreciation of his service to the Rolla Police Department and to the citizens of our community, I presented Chad Warren, owner of Warren Pawn and Gun of Rolla, the Rolla Police Department Certificate of Appreciation for his actions.

This next entry is a letter sent to me by a citizen in our community that was experiencing a bad reaction to prescribed medication. The citizen writes: I wanted to thank the officers who assisted me on September 9th, 2010. I believe they were, Sgt. Frey, Cpl. Dillon and SPO Davis. I was having a very bad reaction to some medication that was prescribed by Pathways, and I did not catch the reaction before I had totally destabilized. Not only were they very helpful, they helped keep my little dog, Annie, a standard cairn terrier who was in a puppy mill for 9 and a half years before I got her. My social worker was going to keep her, and they were instrumental in getting her to a safe place in the apartment and contacting her to come get her because I knew I was going to have to go into the hospital for a few days at least. She is very important to me, as a companion and therapeutic aid for my depression and anxiety. These men went above and beyond the call of duty, treating me so gently and so well until an ambulance could arrive and assess my situation. I was very upset about the situation and they were calm and reassuring to me about Annie and that I needed help, which I knew. I am active on the facebook page, and I got the names from there. My great appreciation needs to be passed along to these fine men, and I think they need a special thanks and recognition for their aid in my time of confusion and darkness. Please pass this note along to them, and let them know that they represent the best of our men in blue! Great job to Sgt. John Frey, Cpl. Derrick Dillon and Spo. Tommy Davis!

From the staff at Animal Control: On Saturday October 23rd, 2010, a one day free clinic will be held at the Phelps County Fairgrounds Community Building. Dogs and cats will be vaccinated free of charge. Owners will be responsible for securing pets during the procedure. All dogs must be leashed and cats must be in a secure crate or pet carrier. If any animals show signs of aggression the Phelps County Health Department reserves the right to refuse service in the interest of safety. Participating veterinarians are Dr. Brian Janke, Dr. Justin Berger and Dr. Mark Ranney. The clinic will be held from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

This past week, we took delivery on a new 2011 Harley-Davidson Police Electra-Glide motorcycle to replace the two 2010 Electra-Glides from our motorcycle division. Each year we lease 2 new motorcycles from Ozark Harley-Davidson in Lebanon, Missouri. The lease price is a fraction of the cost of the motorcycles and entitles us to use them for a year in our motorcycle program. The program was re-instituted in 2001 with the lease of a 2002 Harley-Davidson Road King. We continued leasing 1 motorcycle per year until 2005 when we realized the popularity and service offered by motorcycle patrol was on the rise and began to lease 2 bikes per year. This trend continued until this year where budget constraints restricted our lease options to 1 motorcycle. This year’s edition includes a black and white paint scheme to match the theme used on our patrol cars.

In closing, I would like to remind you that our 10th Annual Law Enforcement Torch Run “Trivia Night” will be held next Saturday, October 16, 2010 at the Rolla Elk’s Lodge. The event has been declared the best trivia in the area and offers loads of fun, good healthy competition, free dinner and a cash bar. Teams of up to 10 members will answer 10 questions in 10 different categories with the winner being the team that correctly answers the most questions. Winners receive the coveted traveling trophy and will gain free berth to next year’s event. Our guest emcee this year is former Phelps County Prosecuting Attorney and Circuit Judge John Wiggins. Cost to enter a team is $100.00 donation to Special Olympics. To enter a team contact S/Sgt. Rick Williams at 308-1213.

Have a great week!

Chief Mark Kearse

City to make plans for 150th birthday celebration

It wasn’t too long ago that members of the Phelps County Commission, and residents of Phelps County gathered in front of the Phelps County Courthouse to pay tribute to the 150th Anniversary (Sesquicentennial) of Phelps County on June 2, 2007. And if you didn’t have an opportunity to attend that event, you missed not only a very well planned and orchestrated celebration, but an historic event filled with music, historical re-enactments, well-known speakers, the Rolla High School chorus and so much more. 

Fast forward now to June 4, 2011, which is the planned date the City will be celebrating the City of Rolla’s 150th birthday as well. The City’s 150th birthday, or date of incorporation, was officially on Jan. 25, 1861, but in an effort to attract bigger crowds and generate more interest for the City’s Sesquicentennial Celebration, the celebration, like the County’s Sesquicentennial held three years ago, will be held the weekend of Rolla’s Route 66 Summerfest on Saturday, June 4, 2011. 

The Rolla City Council recently approved the formation of a planning committee that will be meeting to discuss the various activities, and schedule of events that will be part of the City’s Sesquicentennial. I’ll be sure to keep the community informed of this event, and the ideas that are generated from the planning committee over the next several months. But please put this date on your calendars for next year!

Speaking of celebrations, the Celebration of Nations will be held today, Saturday, Oct. 9 beginning with a parade of nations (81 total) that begins at the Havener Center on the Missouri S&T campus and ends at the downtown bandshell at 9th and Oak Streets. The parade will actually meander through the downtown business district, up Pine Street and down 9th Street before they begin the second part of the event, which is the Festival of Nations, and the International Idol competition at the bandshell and Downtown Festival Park. The event will run from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and I’m hoping there will be a huge show of support from our community for this inaugural event. I hope to see you there!

In closing, I’d like to extend my sincere appreciation to the Rolla Area Ministerial Alliance and the Rolla Police Department for hosting the very successful third annual Operation Neighborhood Clean-up. It is amazing to see just how much can be accomplished with 100 or more volunteers, together with the assistance of businesses, organizations and agencies who want to give back to their community. This event would not be the success it is without this collaborative effort, and everyone who participated, including the Rolla Police Department, Public Works, Parks and Recreation, Fire and Rescue, and Environmental Services Departments, who really came through big for the third year in row. We have a very community-minded City, and Operation Neighborhood Clean-up truly illustrates how helpful and generous so many individuals in our community can be.

Thanks again for all you do!

Fall into wellness on Deible Loop Bike Path

Fall is by far one of the best times of the year to enjoy the beauty, serenity, and recreational opportunities that abound in the Rolla area and Meramec Valley Region. But before I invite you to explore one of the newest additions to the City’s ever-expanding pedestrian bike path network, I’d like to welcome all of the visitors and Missouri S&T alumni, who will be attending the 32nd Annual Fall Arts and Crafts Festival in downtown Rolla (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.) and the various Missouri S&T homecoming festivities that are planned this weekend. If you haven’t visited the Rolla area for any length of time, I think you may be surprised with the many exciting changes and developments that are occurring in our area.

Many new restaurants, retail establishments, building projects, and even intersections and roadways, such as the Bryant Drive Extension on Kingshighway, reflect the upward growth trend that Rolla is experiencing. And what is more noteworthy is that much of this growth and expansion is attracting national retailers and businesses that see the benefit of relocating to the Rolla area where our unique location at the crossroads of I-44, State Road 63, and Hwy. 72, coupled with our distinction as the regional hub for South Central Missouri, is very appealing.

One of the greatest benefits of living in and visiting the Rolla area is spending time outdoors in one of our beautiful parks or on one of the City’s pedestrian bike paths. The most recent addition to our pedestrian bike path network is the new 1.8-mile-long Deible Loop Pedestrian Bike Path, which increases the length of the City’s trail system to over 12 miles. The Deible Loop Pedestrian Bike Path was designed by the City’s Public Works Department and runs adjacent to Lions Club Drive along Deible Creek from O Highway to State Road 63 South at CC Highway. The easiest way to access the Deible Loop Pedestrian Bike Path is at the ACORN Trail trailhead parking lot located on O Highway across from the Rolla Municipal Utilities’ service station just north of Sycamore Drive. You can park in the parking lot, follow the sidewalk that crosses Sycamore Drive and be on your way along the new trail. If you would like to obtain a map of the City’s pedestrian bike path network you can either view it online at www.rollacity.org, or pick one up at the Rolla Visitors Center located on Bridge School Road or at Rolla City Hall (901 N. Elm Street). I think residents and visitors alike will delight in the beauty and serenity of this new section of the City’s pedestrian bike network.

In closing, I’d like to once again encourage the community to attend the inaugural Celebration of Nations event next Saturday, Oct. 9. The event was created to promote awareness, understanding and the celebration of the ways cultural diversity enriches Rolla, Missouri University of Science and Technology, and the world. A Parade of Nations will kick off the event at 11 a.m. when the parade begins at the Missouri S&T Havener Center, (located on the Missouri S&T campus), travel through the downtown area, and end at the downtown bandshell. Colorful flags representing 81 countries of origin of the residents of this region will be carried in the parade. Following the parade, there will be festivities featuring international arts, crafts and food. There will also be an International Idol talent competition, which will be held at the downtown bandshell. Sponsors of the event include the City of Rolla; Rolla Area Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center; Missouri S&T’s student chapter of Engineers Without Borders; and Missouri S&T’s economics department, international affairs’ office, leadership and cultural programs, provost’s office and student life department. For more information about the Celebration of Nations please contact Stephane Menand at menands@mst.edu

I hope you enjoy the beautiful fall weather and all the festivities and events planned for this special weekend in Rolla.

City to sponsor numerous community events & festivals

One of the pillars of any healthy, pro-active communities is the ability for community agencies, governmental bodies, organizations, businesses, universities, colleges, and individuals to work collaboratively for the good of the community. That’s why I’m excited to tell you about the many activities and events that are planned in the Rolla area the next two weekends. I hope you be able to attend and participate in as many of these events as possible.

Let’s begin first with what’s happening on Friday, Oct. 1. The third annual Operation Neighborhood Cleanup will take place in the neighborhood homes south of 7th Street to Hwy. 72 and from Holloway Street to Elm Street. The clean-up will take place from 7 a.m. to 12-noon. The entire community is invited to participate in this beautification effort, which is once again being coordinated by the Rolla Area Ministerial Alliance and the Rolla Police Department. The clean-up effort will involve tree trimming, hedge trimming, and the removal of brush piles, household items and trash. All volunteers are asked to attend the welcome gathering on at 6:30 a.m. at the Christian Life Center located at the corner of Olive and 1st Streets. A complimentary breakfast will be provided. The 5-hour clean-up will conclude at 12-noon. Groups or individuals interested in volunteering for Operation Neighborhood Clean-up should contact SSgt. Rick Williams at the Rolla Police Department at 308-1213 or at rickwilliams@rollacity.org.

On Saturday, Oct. 2 the City of Rolla Environmental Services Department will hold the annual City-wide Fall Clean-up. If you wish to participate, please place all items near the curb by 6 a.m. Examples of items that will be accepted are furniture, microwaves, televisions, old clothes, and normal household trash. Items that will not be accepted are appliances, water heaters, yard waste, tires, or construction debris such as sheet rock, shingles, concrete or rock. Loose items should be placed in boxes or bags and small pieces of lumber should be bundled. We ask that you do not place rollout trash containers at the curb because during this special fall clean-up they will not be emptied. For more information, please call 364-6693.

Also scheduled for next Saturday, Oct. 2 is the ever popular 32nd annual Fall Arts and Crafts Festival. The Rolla Downtown Business Association (RDBA) will host the festival from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Pine Street in downtown Rolla. The event coincides each year with Missouri S&T homecoming festivities, and includes one-of-a-kind crafts, food, live entertainment and informational booths. For more information, please contact Robin Rogers at 573-341-5488 or Jodi Layman at 573-426-5148.

In closing I’d like to also encourage everyone to attend the Celebrations of Nations event, which will be held two weeks from today on Saturday, Oct. 9. Area residents and university students will have an opportunity to gather together to celebrate the vibrant cultural diversity that makes Rolla unique to the Missouri Ozarks. The event was created to promote awareness, understanding and the celebration of the ways cultural diversity enriches Rolla, Missouri University of Science and Technology, and the world. A Parade of Nations will kick off the event at 11 a.m. when the parade begins at the Missouri S&T Havener Center, (located on the Missouri S&T campus), travel through the downtown area, and end at the downtown bandshell (located in the City’s Downtown Festival Park on the corner of 9th and Oak Streets).

Colorful flags representing 82 countries of origin of the residents of this region will be carried in the parade. Community groups, marching bands and area school children are invited to participate. Following the parade, there will be festivities featuring international arts, crafts and food. There will also be an International Idol talent competition, which will be held at the downtown bandshell. For more information about the Celebration of Nations please contact Stephane Menand at menands@mst.edu. Sponsors of the event include the City of Rolla; Rolla Area Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center; Missouri S&T’s student chapter of Engineers Without Borders; and Missouri S&T’s economics department, international affairs’ office, leadership and cultural programs, provost’s office and student life department. 

Police Chief Chat

The Rolla Police Department handled 874 calls for service. Of these calls there were: 42 arrests, 26 accidents, 67 traffic complaints, 175 traffic stops, 44 follow up investigations, 13 suspicious nature calls, 12 loud noise complaints, 27 assists of other agencies, 6 fingerprint requests, 3 benevolent fund requests, 4 soliciting, 5 trespassing, 13 escorts, 4 narcotics complaints and 19 public relations contacts. This call total is up 91 calls from last week. Yet, another busy week!

Next Friday, October 1st, the Rolla Police Department and the Rolla Area Ministerial Alliance will be conducting our 3rd Annual Operation Neighborhood Clean-Up. Operation Clean-up began in 2008 when the Rolla Police Department teamed with the Rolla Area Ministerial Alliance to provide clean-up and beautification services to the residents in parts of the city where the property owners were unable to perform these duties themselves. The operation was designed to enhance the neighborhood’s sense of community and increase property values. The clean-up effort will involve tree trimming, hedge trimming and the removal of brush piles, household items and trash. Also supporting the operation will be Rolla Sanitation, Rolla Municipal Utilities, Rolla Parks and Recreation, Rolla Street Department, Fidelity Communications, CenturyLink and Rolla Fire and Rescue. In addition we also rely on hundreds of volunteers from area churches, businesses and the community to complete the operation. This year’s target area will be the area south of 7th to Hwy 72 and then in between Elm and Rolla Gardens. We will begin the operation at 6:00 a.m. at the Christian Life Center located at 305 E. 1st St. If you would like to help contact S/Sgt. Rick Williams at 308-1213.

This past week four of our communications personnel had the opportunity to attend the Missouri APCO (Association of Public Safety Communications Officials) Conference in Jefferson City. This annual conference focuses on offering training for dispatchers, supervisors and technical support personnel as well as offering many positive networking opportunities. Some of the training topics they attended were Fire Dispatch, MULES updates, Amber Alerts, Victim Automatic Notification System, Media Relations, Radio Narrowband Mandate, Suicide in law enforcement and Communication Standards. Attending the conference this year was Telecommunicator Matt Goss, Communications Supervisors Stacey Smith, Communications Supervisor Scott Olds and Communications Chief Paula Volkmer.

Also this past week we were saddened to hear about the passing of Ann Freeman who passed on Sunday, September 19th. Among many other talents, Ann was a school crossing guard stationed many years at the intersection of Soest Road and Salem Avenue. Many of you will remember her for her for the joyfully dramatic way in which she greeted everyone as she lovingly performed her duties. In spite of rain, cold, heat and heavy traffic, Ann always had a smile on her face and would greet passing motorists with her matronly bow. We have lost a good friend and a major contribution to the “Good Life” here in Rolla.

On Thursday, a citizen came to my office to tell me that Rolla Police Sgt. Jeremy Martens is not only a great officer but also a great person. The citizen said that he had been involved in a minor traffic accident this morning, and that Sgt. Martens was dispatched to the scene. Sgt. Martens worked the accident and then changed his tire on the citizen’s vehicle as it had been damaged in the collision. Sgt. Martens then followed him and noticed that his car was not driving properly, so he called a tow truck and got him to a garage to have it worked on. Sgt Martens then told him if he did not have a ride to get home to call him and he would give him a ride home. Outstanding job Sgt Martens. We can’t do this all the time because of our work load, but it’s nice when we can. The citizen also says that he appreciates our Police Department and even the Chief! I liked that!

Don’t forget our upcoming Law Enforcement Torch Run “Trivia Night” to benefit Special Olympics, to be held Saturday, October 16, 2010. Teams of up to 10 members will answer 10 questions on 10 different topics. The team with the most correct answers will be declared “Champion” and will be honored with the coveted “traveling trophy” and will be awarded free berth to our 2011 Trivia night. Cost per team is $100 donation to Special Olympics. Our special guest emcee is Honorable Judge John Wiggins. Dinner will be provided and a cash bar is available. Teams slots are filling rapidly so contact S/Sgt. Rick Williams to enter a team. It is a night of fun and suspense and all proceeds benefit our Special Olympic athletes.

In closing, we would like to thank those of you that ventured out to Love's Truck Stop last Friday night to "Gas up for a Good Cause". Rolla Police Officers and Phelps County Sheriff's Deputies pumped gas and cleaned windshields and were able to raise over $800.00 for the Children's Miracle Network. This was our 4th year for the event and our biggest so far. Special thanks to Phelps County Sheriff Rick Lisenbe and his crew for their assistance in this event.

Have a great week!

Chief Mark Kearse

Commemorative Air Force lands at Rolla National Air Port

Just days after the Rolla City Council approved the new Master Plan and Airport Layout Plan designed by TranSystems for Rolla National Airport a fleet of vintage World War II aircraft operated by members of the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) landed at RNA.

The fleet of six aircraft, originally World War II American made Naval trainers (T-3s and T-6s), was led by flight leader Mark Allen, who along with six other pilots and crew members had landed at Rolla National Airport last Friday, Sept. 10. Rolla National Airport, which is owned and operated by the City of Rolla, is located 13 miles north of Rolla off Hwy. 63. The pilots, whose aircraft are painted to resemble WWII Japanese aircraft and the infamous Zeros, were scheduled to perform at an air show at Scott Air Force Base (located 20 miles from St. Louis) on Saturday, Sept. 11. Due to bad weather conditions, the pilots decided to refuel their aircraft at RNA, and spend the night in Rolla mid-way on the journey between Springfield and Scott Air Force Base. They departed RNA Saturday morning as the skies cleared just in time to make it for the air show.

According to the official Website of the Commemorative Air Force (www.commemorativeairforce.org), formerly known as the Confederate Air Force, the CAF is an all-volunteer, non-profit organization whose purpose relates to the preservation, demonstration, and display of military aircraft through the ages. CAF is a Texas-based organization dedicated to preserving and showing historical aircraft at air shows primarily throughout the U.S. and Canada. CAF consists of over 11,000 members comprising more than 70 regional groups, called wings or detachments, in 27 states and four other countries. Several hundred members actively serve as pilots and flight and/or maintenance crew members committed to preserving combat aviation heritage.

I think I speak for Wes Faulkner, Airport Manager at Rolla National Airport, and his staff, when I say what an honor and a delight it was to personally witness the members of the CAF land at Rolla National Airport last weekend on their way to Scott Air Force Base. I think their brief visit is indicative of the variety of aircraft that stop at RNA to either refuel or make adjustments to their flight schedules, and how significant it is that Rolla has its own airport with two 5,550-foot runways, numerous T-hangers, a pilot’s lounge, and a fueling station.

In closing, I’d like to welcome everyone to attend our next City Council meeting on Monday, Sept. 20 where the second reading of the City’s $24 million proposed 2010-2011 budget will be considered by members of the City Council.

The Healthy Baby Extravaganza will also be held on Saturday, Sept. 25 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Greentree Christian Church and City of Rolla Fire and Rescue located on 10th Street. And don’t forget to recycle your old computers, appliances and tires at the Electronics, Appliance and Tire Collection on Saturday, Sept. 25 from 8 a.m. to 12-noon at the Brewer Science, Inc. Parking Lot located at 2401 Brewer Drive (located in Hypoint Industrial Park at I-44, Exit 189/Hwy. V). The following items may be dropped off free of charge: stoves, washers, dryers, microwaves and other appliances without refrigerant; computer CPUs, keyboards, printers, VCRs, cell phones and other electronics. Items must be unloaded by the individuals who are dropping them off. The following items will require a fee: passenger tires - $1.50 each; truck tires - $5 each and tractor tires - $10 each (no tires from businesses please); TVs - $10 businesses/$5 residents; computer monitors: $5 each; refrigerant appliances: $50 each (no material from businesses, please).

This event is being sponsored by the City of Rolla, Phelps County Commission, Brewer Science, Inc.; Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Management District, Missouri Department of Natural Resources and Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC). For more information, please contact MRPC at (573) 265-2993.

Have a great weekend, and enjoy the cool fall weather.

Police Chief Chat

This past week, the Rolla Police Department handled 783 calls for service. Of these calls there were: 28 arrests, 21 accidents, 57 traffic complaints, 108 traffic stops, 12 suspicious nature calls, 7 escorts, 9 loud noise complaints, 17 alarms, 3 harassment, 7 assaults, 4 fight calls, 2 missing persons, 2 benevolent fund requests, 30 security checks, 3 gas drive offs, 9 loud noise complaints. This call total is up 60 calls from last week’s call total. Yet another busy week!

This past week, Cpl. Tim Mayfield, Spo. Tony Lauth and Spo. Chrissy Smith attended the 25th Crash Reconstruction School offered by the Missouri State Highway Patrol Academy in Jefferson City, Missouri. The course is 80 hours of instruction through lectures, projects, and in-depth analysis of actual collisions. Many trained police officers have difficulty getting their crash investigation findings admitted into court. This course is designed to help overcome this difficulty by enabling a well-trained police officer to qualify as an expert and give expert testimony in a court of law relative to the causation factors in motor vehicle traffic crashes. A student who successfully completes this course will be able to give expert testimony in the following areas: Speed of vehicles at impact using conservation of linear momentum, behavior of vehicles in a collision using Newton’s three laws of motion, the effect of weight shift in braking involving large trucks and buses, including truck-tractor/semi-trailer combinations, the effect of anti-skid braking systems in stopping distances and braking action and the determination of direction of travel, initial contact, and position of vehicles on the roadway through the interpretation of vehicle damage and the analysis of at scene marks and evidence.

On Wednesday, September 15th 2010 at approximately 9:40 p.m., the Rolla Police Department received a report of a shooting. It was determined that a 24 year old male had been taken to the Phelps County Regional Medical Center with a single gunshot wound to the leg. It was later determined that the shooting had occurred in the 1000 block of S. U.S. Highway 63 in Rolla. Uniformed Officers and Detectives from the Rolla Police Department's Division of Criminal Investigations began investigating the case. A short time later the suspect was identified and was located in the 100 block of Little Oaks Road in Rolla. Arrested was Shaun Allen age 31 of Rolla, Missouri. Allen was later incarcerated in the Phelps County Jail pending warrant application on the charges of Assault 1st Degree and Armed Criminal Action. The victim of the shooting was treated and later released from the Phelps County Regional Medical Center. The handgun used in the shooting was recovered. The victim and suspect were acquaintances and the shooting was believed to have been as a result of an ongoing dispute. Agencies assisting in the investigation included the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the Phelps County Sheriff’s Department. The charges for which Shaun Allen was arrested for are merely accusations and are not evidence of guilt. Evidence in support of the charges must be presented before a court of competent jurisdiction whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence. If you have additional information pertaining to this case please call the Rolla Police Department at (573) 308-1213 or the Rolla Police Department’s confidential tip hotline at (573) 364-0111. Great job to MSHP, PCSD and the Rolla Police Department!

We are still looking for volunteers for our 3rd Annual Operation Neighborhood Clean-up scheduled for Friday, October 1, 2010. Operation Neighborhood Clean-up is a joint venture between the Rolla Police Department and the Rolla Area Ministerial Alliance which incorporates community volunteers, government and local business to conduct a clean-up/ beautification operation to help those in the community that cannot help themselves. If you would like to participate, please contact S/Sgt. Rick Williams at 308-1213.

On a light side, I received a letter this week from a citizen who had found some humor in something listed in this column. She stated, “Would you please explain what in the world a ‘Suspicious Nature Call’ is?….My first thought when I saw it, after I stopped laughing was, it was worded improperly…. The way something is worded can certainly change the meaning.” Well, I suppose there are a variety of ways that phrase could be taken. Let’s rule out all possibilities of reports of strange people taking bathroom breaks on the side of the road (Nature CALLS). And I can also guarantee these aren’t conservation calls relating to the unusual migratory patterns of birds (NATURE calls). In law enforcement, a “suspicious nature call” is simply a call of suspicious nature that doesn’t quite fit in any other category. For instance, it could be a report of an occupied car parked in an unusual location, or a suspicious looking person seen on school property, or an unidentified package left on a porch….anything that strikes someone as being unusual, and they believe it should be checked into. If anyone has any other questions, I’m always open to opportunities to clarify things for the public. Hope this helped!

Have a great week!

Chief Mark Kearse

Commemorative Air Force lands at Rolla National Airport

Pilots and crew members with the Commemorative Air Force landed at Rolla National Airport to refuel their fleet of six vintage WWII Naval trainers (T-3s and T-6s) on Sept. 10. The aircraft are painted to resemble WWII Japanese aircraft known as Zeros. The CAF is a Texas-based all-volunteer organization dedicated to preserving and showing historical aircraft at air shows throughout the U.S. and Canada.

Police Chief Chat

This past week, the Rolla Police Department handled 723 calls for service. Of these calls there were: 28 arrests, 18 accidents, 61 traffic complaints, 143 traffic stops, 3 juvenile complaints, 19 suspicious nature calls, 2 benevolent funds, 2 recovered property reports, 29 disturbance calls to include domestics, 11 assists of other agencies, 5 fingerprint requests, 14 stealing reports and 19 check well being requests. This call total is down 54 calls from last week. Another busy week!

On Wednesday of this week, the Rolla Police Department held our first of 12 sessions of our Citizen’s Police Academy. The Citizens Police Academy is a program of instruction by police officers for interested citizens as part of the Department’s community policing philosophy. The goals are to increase awareness of the functions of the Police Department and to increase police/community rapport by sharing concerns through an educative process. Classes meet for four hours, once a week for twelve weeks. All sessions are held in the evening at the Rolla Police Department, with the exception of one Saturday session which is held at the firing range. Participants are invited to ride along with a police officer to see first-hand what happens on the street. Citizens will learn of Internal Affairs and Polygraph Operation, Complaints and Reports, Criminal and Crime Scene Investigation, School Resource Officer program, Police Explorer Post program, DWI Detection, Narcotics Investigation, Emergency Operations and Community Policing, Animal Control, Defense Tactics, Officer Survival, SWAT Team Operations, Fire Arms Training, Central Communications, Traffic Accident Investigation, Traffic Stops, Radar Detection, Arrest and Booking Procedures and Volunteers in Police Services. This year’s academy has 12 citizens in attendance.

I received a letter on Friday from a long-time acquaintance who was the victim of a of a leaving the scene property destruction at his residence. Officer Leann Robertson responded to the call. The letter states as follows: Last night a young lady, an international student at MS&T, accidentally ran through my mailbox. Since it was one of those enclosed in brick and mortar it made quite a mess of both the mailbox and, I’m sure, the car which I have not seen. It developed the young lady had low blood sugar, left the scene and went home. Thankfully, she was un-injured. Officer Leann Robertson responded to take a report and quite obviously, checked up and down the street with some effort, located the girl, and brought her by to talk to me today. All was settled amicably and insurance will cover it. I think the young lady was prepared to come see me by herself so it was probably not a typical hit and run. None-the-less a lot of credit to your officer.

The letter continues: The reason I am writing this is as a thank you and high marks for Officer Leann. She went to the trouble of following up and unerringly did exactly the right thing in a highly professional manner. If she is representative of your officers we are very well protected. Sincerely, (author’s name withheld by me). Thank you to the author for the kind remarks and a great job to Lean!

This past Tuesday was a dedicated training day and several officers underwent 8 hours of Police Taser re-certification training offered by our in-house certified Taser instructors, Detective Hank Harper and Patrol Officer Jessie Hoyt. Officers were required to demonstrate their proficiency in the use of this tool and the non-discrimination in the use. The Taser is an electroshock weapon that uses electrical current to disrupt voluntary control of muscles. Its manufacturer, Taser International, calls the effects "neuromuscularincapacitation"[1] and the devices' mechanism "Electro-Muscular Disruption (EMD) technology".[2] Someone struck by a Taser experiences stimulation of his or her sensory nerves and motor nerves, resulting in strong involuntary muscle contractions. Tasers do not rely only on pain compliance, and are thus preferred by some law enforcement over non-Taser stun guns and other electronic control weapons.

The 3rd Annual Operation Neighborhood Clean-up is underway as over 480 waiver/consent forms have been distributed in our 2010 target area. Residents in this area are to complete the form by listing the type of clean-up assistance they require and then return the form to us. The next stage is where several volunteer assessment teams will return to the area and personally meet with the residents requesting assistance and will draw up work orders listing those tasks. The assistance provided will be in the way of tree trimming, lawn mowing, brush and discarded appliance removal, and other tasks that will be provided free of charge by the operation volunteers. Volunteers are comprised of police officers, church leaders, civic groups, student volunteers, construction and utility employees and neighbors. The date of the Operation Neighborhood Clean-up will be held Friday, October 1, 2010 from 6:30 a.m. till 12:00 p.m. If you would like to volunteer and assist us in this operation contact S/Sgt. Rick Williams at 308-1213!

In closing, I would like to take this opportunity to invite all motorists to join us in our 4th Annual “Gas up for a Good Cause” campaign where Rolla Police Officers and Phelps County Sheriff’s Deputies converge on the Love’s Truck Stop gas pumps to clean windshields and pump gas for you in an effort to raise money for the Children’s Miracle Network. This event will be held on Friday, September 17, 2010 from 4-8 p.m. at Love’s Truck Stop located at I-44 and Hwy V. If you need a fill-up or just topped off, stop by and let us do it for you. All tips or donations received will benefit CMN! Come on out and help us help the kids!

Have a great week!

Chief Mark Kearse

Labor Day Holiday kicks off fall festivities

September and the Labor Day weekend have finally arrived in typical Missouri fashion after what seemed like one of the hottest and longest summers on record. Yet despite the seemingly endless 90-degree hot spells much was accomplished this summer throughout the City, including the paving of 10th Street from Pine Street to Forum Drive, and the micro-paving of numerous streets throughout the community by the City’s Street Department, Rolla Asphalt and Donnelson Construction Company. I have received many positive comments from residents in the community regarding these projects, and I’d like to extend my appreciation again to the City’s Public Works Department, and especially Gene Stroup, Project Coordinator, who ensured that these projects were completed on time, on budget, and with minimal disruption to motorists and residents.

The next big City project scheduled for this month is the construction of the Bryant Drive Extension, which will begin when the McDonalds restaurant located at Kingshighway and Bryant Drive is demolished and rebuilt in the coming weeks. The Bryant Drive Extension will provide a new intersection at Bryant Drive and Kingshighway in front of McDonalds and Pizza Inn that will serve as one of the gateways to Missouri S&T’s Innovation Park. Later this fall the Missouri Department of Transportation will also be relocating the traffic light currently at Kingshighway and Fairgrounds Road to the new intersection at Bryant Drive and Kingshighway. Better traffic flow, increased safety, and less traffic congestion on Kingshighway should be some of the noticeable benefits of this new intersection.

September is also a pivotal month for the City of Rolla in that citizens are encouraged to attend and provide input at the 2010-2011 annual budget public hearing scheduled for the first City Council meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 8 at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall. The second reading to approve the annual budget ordinance will be held at the City Council meeting  on Monday, Sept. 20 at 6:30 p.m. at Rolla City Hall. If approved by the City Council, the new budget year will begin with a 2% COLA (Cost of Living Allowance) for all full-time City employees; the funding (for ½ year) of a City Engineer position; hiring of two new police officers, and the replacement of a 1981 90-foot aerial ladder truck.

Due to the success of the City’s Employee Wellness Program, there will again be no increase in health insurance premiums for full-time City employees. At a time when 65% of the businesses throughout the country in private industry are raising health insurance premiums, it is noteworthy that the City has managed to refrain from any health insurance premium increases over the past three years. While sales tax revenues are showing positive signs of recovery, (sales tax receipts are up 1.7% since January 2010), a conservative 1% growth in sales tax revenue is also included in the City’s annual budget. As you drive around town and notice the construction and renovation of several new office buildings, restaurants, and multi-family apartments, it’s evident the economy is picking up steam and Rolla is positioned to attract even more new businesses, retail stores, restaurants and industry.

As we head into the fall season don’t forget to mark your calendars for the 3rd Annual Operation Neighborhood Clean-up on Friday, Oct. 1 (meet for breakfast and greeting at the Christian Life Center at 6:30 a.m.); the City-wide Fall Clean-up on Saturday, Oct. 1 (items to curb by 6 a.m./residential only); the 32nd Annual Fall Arts and Crafts Festival in downtown Rolla (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.) and the inaugural Celebration of Nations event on Saturday, Oct. 9 (parade starts at 11 a.m.in front of the Havener Center) and the Rolla Regional Business Conference hosted by the Rolla Area Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday, Oct. 20 at the Havener Center (9 a.m. – 4 p.m.). For more information on any of the above mentioned events, please visit the City’s Website at www.rollacity.org or become a ‘Fan’ of the City’s Facebook page.

In closing I’d like to remind everyone that the City Council meeting will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 8 at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall (901 North Elm Street). Rolla Municipal Traffic Court will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 7 at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall. Monday’s trash will be picked up on Tuesday, Sept. 7 and Tuesday’s trash will be picked up on Wednesday. There will be no special pickups on Wednesday. This weekend will also be the final weekend SplashZone (Rolla’s outdoor water park), will be open this year. Closing day at SplashZone is Monday (Labor Day), Sept. 6 from 12-noon to 5 p.m.

I hope you had a safe and memorable Labor Day weekend!

Police Chief Chat

This past week, the Rolla Police Department handled 797 calls for service. Of these calls there were: 25 arrests, 24 accidents, 65 traffic complaints, 158 traffic stops, 6 juvenile complaints, 15 suspicious nature calls, 3 benevolent funds, 3 recovered property reports, 36 disturbance calls to include domestics, 19 assists of other agencies, 3 fingerprint requests, 1 school crossing detail, 14 stealing calls and 19 check well being requests. This call total is up 60 calls from last week…. yes, another busy week!

On Tuesday, August 31, 2010, the South Central Drug Task Force, Rolla Police Department and the Phelps County Sheriff’s Department concluded a short term narcotics investigation in the 1700 block of Ashwood Drive in Rolla, Missouri. As a result of the investigation, officers seized approximately two pounds of marijuana, drug paraphernalia, and a large amount of US currency. The following people were arrested and incarcerated at the Phelps County Jail: Daniel Jones, age 33 of Rolla, possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute, and Sarah Carroll age 42 of Richland, possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute. The charges for which Jones and Carroll were arrested are merely accusations and are not evidence of guilt. Evidence in support of the charges must be presented before a court of competent jurisdiction whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence. Great job!

On Tuesday night members of the Rolla Area Ministerial Alliance, Volunteers in Police Services and the Rolla Police Department distributed over 450 Operation Neighborhood Clean-up waiver/consent forms to each home within our 2010 Neighborhood Clean-up area. As you may know, our annual clean-up operation is a program where the community teams with the Rolla Area Ministerial Alliance, city government and local business to conduct a clean-up/ beautification operation to help those in the community that cannot help themselves. Once an area is chosen, volunteers pass out waiver/consent forms to each address in the designated area. The forms need to be filled out by property owners who need assistance in this program. Assistance comes in the way of lawn mowing, tree trimming and removal, brush pile and appliance removal, trash and debris removal and many other tasks. Simply fill out the form and return it to the Rolla Police Department by Friday, Sept. 10, 2010. Assessment teams will then gather the forms then contact you personally to complete a work order for the tasks you are requesting. Then on Friday, Oct. 1, 2010 volunteer teams will ascend on the neighborhood and complete the tasks at no cost to the resident. This date was chosen in conjunction with the City wide clean-up scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 2, 2010. This year’s designated Clean-up neighborhood is the area south of 7th Street to Hwy. 72 and from Holloway Street to Elm Street. The clean-up will take place from 7 a.m. to 12-noon. If you or your agency would like to volunteer in this year’s operation, contact S/Sgt. Rick Williams at 308-1213!

Well, with Labor Day upon us, sadly the summer season is winding down. This weekend families will be hitting the roads destined for picnics, hiking, boating, camping, fishing, visiting family and friends and many other destinations. Please remember to drive friendly and to be safe this weekend in order to return home with only good memories. The area roads and highways will be busy with everyone trying to reach their destinations in the best time. Be sure to plan your route, allow plenty of time in case of congestion or road construction and prepare your vehicle for a safe journey. Be sure brakes and tires are in good shape and remember your cell phone and charger. For many this is the last big hurrah for the summer and most will be taking advantage of the extended weekend. Be safe!

In closing, I would like to take a moment to mention several upcoming events hosted by the Rolla Police Department and various area charities. On Friday, September 17, 2010 at Love’s Truck Stop, Phelps County Sheriff’s Deputies and Rolla Police Officers will be pumping gas and cleaning windshield’s during the 4th annual Gas Up For a Good Cause campaign where all tips and donations benefit the Children’s Miracle Network. Last year deputies and officers raised over $1,000.00 for the cause. So, mark your calendars and let us “fill er up for a reason” on Friday, Sept. 17, 2010. Then on Saturday, October 16, 2010 we will host our 10th annual Law Enforcement Torch Run “Trivia Night” to benefit Special Olympics. Our trivia night has been deemed the best trivia in the area in that in addition to a night of fun and great trivia, we also provide team members with dinner and a offer a cash bar. The event will be held at the Rolla Elk’s Lodge and will begin at 6:00 p.m. If you would like to enter a team, the cost is $100.00 for up to 10 members. Contact S/Sgt. Rick Williams at 308-1213 to reserve a table. We can accommodate up to 33 teams so be sure to reserve your spot.

Have a great week!

Chief Mark Kearse

Summer months filled with activity in Rolla area

I hope everyone is enjoying the cooler weather we have had lately, and taking advantage of the newly expanded ACORN Trail and many parks we are so blessed to have in the Rolla area. Cooler weather, while it lasts, is a welcome invitation to enjoy the great outdoors, and fortunately in Rolla there is an abundance of recreational opportunities to choose from. Beautiful Ber Juan Park, the Ber Juan Tennis Complex, Lions Club Park, Schuman Park, Green Acres Park, Lane Springs, and the 1.3-million-acre Mark Twain National Forest, are just some of the areas you might consider spending some time at outdoors.

This summer, and especially the month of August, has been a very busy one not only from a construction and development standpoint, but also from a planning and meeting perspective. From City Council meetings, and City Council Workshops, to TIF Commission meetings, and a host of other events and happenings, August has been jam-packed with activity and new beginnings that are evident throughout the community.

In case you happened to miss the Annual City Council Budget Workshop held last Wednesday, I’d like to invite the public to attend the upcoming public hearings for the City’s 2010-2011 Annual budget, which will be held during the Sept. 8 and Sept. 20 Rolla City Council meetings at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Rolla City. I’d also like to remind everyone a little early that the Rolla City Council meeting normally scheduled for the first Monday in the month, will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 8. Rolla City Hall will be closed on Monday, Sept. 6 in observation of the Labor Day holiday, and Rolla Municipal Traffic Court will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 7 at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall. In addition, The Centre, Rolla’s Health and Recreation Complex, located at 1200 North Holloway Street, will be closed for the Labor Day Weekend for their annual Preventative Maintenance beginning on Friday, Sept. 3 through Monday, Sept. 6. The Centre will reopen Tuesday morning, Sept. 7. The Environmental Services Department, which will also be closed on Monday, Sept. 6 in observation of the Labor Day holiday, will be picking up Monday’s trash on Tuesday, Sept. 7 and Tuesday’s trash will be picked up on Wednesday, Sept. 8.

Also just around the corner is the TIF (Tax Increment Financing) Public Hearing on Monday, Sept. 13 at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall. The purpose of the Public hearing is to receive input and feedback from the public regarding the proposed redevelopment plan for a new Kohl’s store in Rolla. The location of the proposed store is near the intersection of State Road 63 and Interstate 44 next to Lowe’s, and behind the inline retail shops on State Road 63. If you have any questions regarding this project, please contact the Community Development Department at City Hall at 426-6970.

In closing, I’d like to remind everyone that the distance required to drop off a load of yard compost or yard waste just got a little closer. The composting operation once operated near the Phelps County Transfer Station north of I-44 has been relocated to an area just north of the Rolla Recycling Center at the end of McCutchen Drive. The City’s Environmental Services Department, which operates the Rolla Recycling Center, erected new signs for the compost site, which is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. There is no charge to the general public for disposal of yard waste, however, for-profit businesses are charged a nominal fee for disposal to help off-set some of the costs of providing the facility. Contractors are asked to please stop at the office of the Recycling Center to pay to dispose of their loads of yard waste. I hope this new location will be convenient and a little more accessible to the majority of our citizens, as we continue to strive to improve the quality of our services to you.

Have a great weekend, and enjoy the cooler temperatures.

Police Chief Chat

This past week the Rolla Police Department handled 738 calls for service. Of these calls there were: 31 arrests, 28 accidents, 56 traffic complaints, 93 traffic stops, 11 suspicious nature calls, 7 recovered property reports, 16 loud noise complaints, 31 assists of other agencies, 8 fingerprint requests, 6 mental health calls, 5 prowler calls, 34 animal calls, 9 alarms and 3 trespassing calls. This call total is up 45 calls from last week. Another busy week!

We would like to take this opportunity to welcome our newest volunteer to the Volunteers in Police Services (VIPS) program. Jeanne Jenks came on board this past week and has been assisting our Records Division with various assignments. Jeanne come to us after a lengthy career in the medical field. She learned of the program through her husband, Rolla Mayor Bill Jenks. Welcome aboard Jeanne!

Last Sunday, August 22, 2010, Pizza Inn of Rolla played host to a Behind the Badge (BTB) fundraiser where BTB members and Rolla Police officers bussed tables, took orders and served food to family and friends from the Rolla community. Not only was the fundraiser a success, but we had a lot of fun visiting with all of you throughout the evening. Thanks to Bob and Jo Campbell and staff of Pizza Inn for the opportunity, and special thanks to those of you who came out and helped support out cause!

We are gearing up for our 3rd Annual Operation Clean-Up which will be held on Friday, October 1st, in conjunction with the City of Rolla’s Fall Clean-up scheduled for the following Saturday. Operation Clean-up began in 2008 when the Rolla Police Department teamed with the Rolla Area Ministerial Alliance to provide clean-up and beautification services to the residents in parts of the city where the property owners were unable to perform these duties themselves. The operation was designed to enhance the neighborhood’s sense of community and increase property values. The clean-up effort will involve tree trimming, hedge trimming and the removal of brush piles, household items and trash. Also supporting the operation will be Rolla Sanitation, Rolla Municipal Utilities, Rolla Parks and Recreation, Rolla Street Department and CenturyLink. In addition we also rely on hundreds of volunteers from area churches, businesses and the community to complete the operation. This year’s target area will be selected in the next week or so and announced through the local media. If you would like to participate in this year’s Operation Clean-Up contact S/Sgt. Rick Williams at 308-1213.

This past week, Lt. Doug James began preparations for this year’s Citizen’s Police Academy. The Citizens Police Academy is a program of instruction by police officers for interested citizens as part of the Department’s community policing philosophy. The goals are to increase awareness of the functions of the Police Department and to increase police/community rapport by sharing concerns through an educative process. Classes meet for four hours, once a week for twelve weeks. All sessions are held in the evening, at the Rolla Police Department, with the exception of one Saturday session which is held at the firing range. Participants are also invited to ride along with a police officer to see firsthand what happens on the street. Citizens will learn of Internal Affairs and Polygraph Operation, Complaints and Reports, Criminal and Crime Scene Investigation, School Resource Officer program, Police Explorer Post program, DWI Detection, Narcotics Investigation, Emergency Operations and Community Policing, Animal Control, Defense Tactics, Officer Survival, SWAT Team Operations, Fire Arms Training, Central Communications, Traffic Accident Investigation, Traffic Stops, Radar Detection, Arrest and Booking Procedures and Volunteers in Police Services. If you would like to attend the Citizen’s Police Academy, contact Lt. Doug James at 308-1213.

In closing, I would like to commend several citizens in our community who have initiated or taken part in the introduction of the Neighborhood Watch program in their neighborhoods. In the past couple months we have received a re-newed interest in this valuable program from several different areas of the community. This re-newed interest comes on the heels of 3 city-wide Neighborhood Watch Zone meetings we held earlier in the summer. The Neighborhood Watch program is a citizen-involvement program developed in 1983 to encourage citizens to protect their own neighborhoods by watching out for each other and reporting any suspicious activity to the Police Department. After receiving general guidelines by Rolla Police Officers, Block Captains are responsible for organizing their own meetings and other activities for residents in their neighborhood. We are always looking for new neighborhoods to get involved in the Neighborhood Watch Program. If you would like to learn more about the program or see the program started in your neighborhood, contact S/Sgt. Rick Williams at 308-1213.

Have a great week!

Chief Mark Kearse